As the sage Bharadvāja was performing his sacred fire offering, Rama approached him, accompanied by his brother Saumitri (Lakshmana) and his wife Sita. With reverence, they greeted the sage, palms joined in respect. Rama, the elder brother of Lakshmana, introduced himself to Bharadvāja, saying, “Revered one, we are the sons of Dasharatha—Rama and Lakshmana.” He then presented Sita, “This is my wife, Vaidehī, the virtuous daughter of Janaka; she, blameless, has accompanied me into the lonely forest of asceticism.” Rama continued, “Saumitra, my dear younger brother, has followed me, sent into exile by our father; this brother, firm in his vows, has come with me to the forest. Instructed by our father, we shall enter the forest of austerity, practicing only righteousness and subsisting on roots and fruits.” Hearing these words, the righteous sage brought a cow, offerings, and water for Rama. Scorched by his own austerities, Bharadvāja gave them various forest foods—roots and fruits—and prepared a dwelling for them. Surrounded by deer, birds, and other sages, Bharadvāja welcomed Rama with honor and greeting. Once Rama had received the offerings and was seated, Bharadvāja spoke words filled with righteousness: “O descendant of Kakutstha, after a long time I see you come here; I have heard of your exile, which is without cause. Here is a secluded place at the confluence of great rivers, holy and delightful; let the blessed ones dwell here happily.” Rama, devoted to the welfare of all, replied with auspicious words, “O revered one, the people of the city and countryside are nearby; seeing me here, I think they will visit this hermitage. People will come to see Vaidehī and me; for this reason, I do not wish to reside here. O revered one, look at that excellent hermitage site at the edge; there, Vaidehī, the daughter of Janaka, deserving of happiness, will find delight.” Hearing these auspicious words, Bharadvāja addressed Rama with meaningful advice. “Ten krośas from here, dear one, is a mountain where you will dwell; it is holy, frequented by great sages, pleasant to behold from all sides. It is known as Citrakūṭa, frequented by cows, langurs, monkeys, and bears, and resembles Gandhamādana. As far as a man can see the peaks of Citrakūṭa, he attains auspiciousness and does not turn his mind to evil. Many sages have spent a hundred autumns there; by their austerity, together with skulls as headgear, they have ascended to heaven. I think this secluded dwelling will be comfortable for you; whether here or in the forest, stay, O Rama, together with me.” Bharadvāja, knower of righteousness, welcomed Rama as his dear guest, along with Sita and Lakshmana, offering all that they desired. As Rama arrived at Prayāga to meet the great sage, the blessed night passed as they recounted many wondrous tales. Rama, weary and accustomed to comfort, spent that night happily with Sita as the third, in the delightful hermitage of Bharadvāja. When the night had passed, Rama, the tiger among men, approached Bharadvāja and spoke to the sage blazing with ascetic power, “Having spent the night in your hermitage, O truthful one, we now seek your permission to depart from this dwelling.” As the night ended, Bharadvāja said, “Go to Citrakūṭa, abundant with honey, roots, and fruits. I think that place is suitable for your dwelling, O mighty Rama—adorned with various flocks of birds, frequented by Kinnaras and serpents. Resounding with the calls of peacocks, attended by lordly elephants, that renowned mountain Citrakūṭa should be your destination. It is sacred and beautiful, rich with many roots and fruits; herds of elephants and groups of deer roam all around. You will see those herds, O Raghava, wandering at the forest’s edge, and the riverbanks, slopes, and mountain streams nearby. As you roam with Sita, your heart will rejoice—on that auspicious earth, resounding with the calls of joyful cranes and cuckoos, and filled with many intoxicated deer and elephants, you will find a most delightful hermitage.” Thus concludes the fifty-fifth sarga in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. Having spent the night there, the two princes, destroyers of foes, paid respects to the great sage and then set out toward the mountain. Bharadvāja performed a blessing for their journey and, watching them depart, followed them as a father would his sons. Radiant in ascetic power, Bharadvāja spoke to Rama, steadfast in truth and valor, “Having reached the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā, O best of men, you should follow the Kālindī river, which flows westward.” Upon reaching the swift-flowing Kālindī and seeing the ancient, sacred ford of that river, the two descendants of Raghu beheld it. There, after making a raft, they should cross the shining river. Then, reaching a great banyan tree with green foliage—grown large with many trees, dark, frequented by perfected beings—there, Sita should offer joined palms and utter auspicious blessings.